Headline Charter Rates by Vessel Type
| Vessel Type | Size | Low Season | Shoulder | Peak (Jul/Aug) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailing yacht (bareboat) | 34–40 ft | €700–1,400/wk | €1,200–2,000/wk | €1,500–2,800/wk |
| Sailing yacht (bareboat) | 41–50 ft | €1,500–2,500/wk | €2,000–3,500/wk | €2,800–5,500/wk |
| Catamaran (bareboat) | 38–44 ft | €2,500–3,800/wk | €3,200–5,500/wk | €4,000–8,000/wk |
| Catamaran (bareboat) | 45 ft+ | €4,000–6,000/wk | €5,000–8,000/wk | €6,500–12,000/wk |
| Gulet (crewed, incl. crew) | 18–22 m | €5,000–7,500/wk | €6,500–9,500/wk | €8,500–14,000/wk |
| Gulet (crewed, incl. crew) | 22 m+ | €8,000–14,000/wk | €10,000–18,000/wk | €13,000–25,000+/wk |
All rates are indicative only. Actual rates depend on specific vessel, year, operator, and booking timing. Early booking (before December for peak season) typically saves 10–15%.
Additional Costs: The Real Budget
Skipper
If chartering a sailing yacht or catamaran without a valid sailing licence, a professional skipper is required. Cost: €150–200/day — roughly €1,050–1,400/week. The skipper typically provides their own food or is included in the provisioning budget by agreement.
Fuel
A sailing yacht on a typical week's charter burns 150–250 litres of diesel: approximately €150–250 at current Adriatic prices. A catamaran under power burns slightly more (two engines). A motor yacht burns 600–1,200+ litres per week.
Provisioning
Self-catered charter boats typically spend €60–100 per person per week on groceries. Buy provisioning in Split or Trogir before departure — island shop prices are 30–50% higher.
Croatian Transit Log
All foreign vessels in Croatian waters require a transit log (vignette). Charter companies arrange this and charge it separately: approximately €150–300 depending on vessel length.
Security Deposit
Held by credit card authorisation at handover, released on safe return. Not a cash payment.
- Sailing yacht up to 40 ft: €1,500–2,000
- Sailing yacht 40–50 ft: €2,000–2,500
- Catamaran: €2,500–3,500
Marina Fee Breakdown
| Vessel Length | ACI Marina (peak season) | Town Quay | Anchor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 m (33 ft) | €35–55/night | €10–25/night | Free |
| 10–12 m (33–40 ft) | €50–80/night | €15–35/night | Free |
| 12–15 m (40–50 ft) | €70–120/night | €25–50/night | Free |
| 15 m+ (gulet) | €100–200+/night | €40–80/night | Free |
Full Budget: Real-World Examples
Example 1: Bareboat 44ft Sailing Yacht, 8 People, June
| Cost Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Boat hire (44ft monohull, June) | €2,200 |
| Fuel | €180 |
| Marina fees (4 nights marina, 3 nights anchor) | €350 |
| Provisioning (8 people × €80/week) | €640 |
| Croatian transit log | €200 |
| Total | €3,570 |
| Per person (8 sharing) | €446 |
Example 2: Skippered 45ft Catamaran, 10 People, August
| Cost Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Boat hire (45ft catamaran, August) | €6,500 |
| Skipper (7 nights) | €1,200 |
| Fuel | €220 |
| Marina fees (5 nights marina) | €600 |
| Provisioning (10 people × €90/week) | €900 |
| Croatian transit log | €250 |
| Total | €9,670 |
| Per person (10 sharing) | €967 |
Example 3: Gulet, 10 Guests, September
| Cost Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Gulet hire 22m (September) | €8,500 |
| APA (30% — covers fuel, ports, food) | €2,550 |
| Total | €11,050 |
| Per person (10 sharing) | €1,105 |
How to Get the Best Price
- Book early. Peak season boats booked before December save 10–15% at most companies.
- Go in June or September. Same boats, 20–30% less than July–August. Often better sailing conditions.
- Use aggregators to compare. Sailogy, Click&Boat, and GetMySailboat aggregate multiple fleets and often show last-minute discounts in shoulder season.
- Anchor more, marina less. Three nights at anchor saves €150–300/week on port fees alone.
- Buy provisioning in Split. Stock the boat before departure — island grocery prices are consistently higher.